TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13
9 am – 5 pm
ALBANY, NY
Shaping the Future of New York’s Creative Economy
The Creative Economy Forum is a statewide gathering for artists, creative workers, cultural organizations, policymakers, educators, labor leaders, funders, and community partners who believe creativity should play a central role in New York’s future.
Hosted by Voices for Creative New York (VCNY), the Forum is an opportunity to come together, share perspectives, and help shape a statewide vision for the creative economy—one that reflects the realities, needs, and aspirations of people working across New York’s creative sector.
Whether you are an artist, arts administrator, educator, designer, filmmaker, musician, maker, cultural organizer, or advocate, your voice belongs in this conversation.
What We’ll Do Together
During the Forum, participants will:
- Connect with colleagues and partners from across New York and across sectors.
- Explore what a stronger, more equitable creative economy could look like.
- Help refine a new Creative Economy Framework that will inform the development of New York State’s first coordinated Creative Economy Plan and other regional initiatives.
Through presentations, conversations, and interactive workshops, we’ll share current research, hear from participants, identify priorities, and begin building a roadmap for the work ahead.
Why This Matters
New York’s creative economy powers our communities. It supports artists and creative workers, strengthens local businesses, attracts visitors, fuels innovation, and enriches civic life. Yet the systems that support the sector are often disconnected, making it harder for creative people and organizations to thrive.
The Creative Economy Forum is the beginning of a statewide effort to change that. By bringing together people from different disciplines, regions, and sectors, we can identify shared priorities and build a more coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable future for New York’s creative economy.